TM comparison

[hakim]

Is there anyone out there who has ridden a recent TM who can compare it to a recent KTM, Gas Gas, or Japanese bike. I'm curious how the TM stacks up, especially the handling. I keep hearing about "european bike" handling when people write about TMs versus Japanese bike handling and wanted to hear what exactly that means. Also, I've ridden KTMs so any comparison to them would help me understand the TM better. Thanks

 

[Camstyn]

The TM's have excellent handling traits. Ergonomically they feel like a Japanese bike, there is no "getting used to it." I've only ridden my 400 but it turns on a dime and I've nver experienced any headshake. It feels very nimble and agile, and really rewards aggressive riding.
It feels very different to a KTM. The KTM feels long, skinny, and front-end-light. The TM front end feels amazingly planted while the KTM front wheel feels vague in comparison. The TM loves to turn while the KTM loves to go straight and turn wide.

I always thought that "european handling" described how the KTM feels. The TM feels completely different IMHO.

In stock trim the KTM ergos felt much roomier than the TM. Once changing to a taller bar, lower footpegs, and a tall seat foam, the TM makes the KTM feel like an 80. In stock trim it probably suits shorter riders best though.

 

[chasejj]

Well.... I own a TM400E 4 stroke 2002 and a KTM 525 EXC. I fell somewhat qualified to answer this.

The TM handles similar to a KX Kawasaki as the frames are very similar. You can slide the forks up in the clamps and get headshake. They tend to handle really well pretty much with just suspension setup. The linkage rear end handles everything well and the Ohlins are fantastic.Motor is very similar to a beefed up Yamaha 426 with mnore flywheel. Revs to the moon. Very good MX/HS/GNCC motor and great in an experienced riders hands for enduros.

The KTM feels larger. Which is good for me a 6-3. With proper suspension setup it handles very well. There seems to be a lot of talk about triple clamnp offsets. I run 22mm. Stock is 20. Most guys go to 16 or 18's. Factory off road guys use stock 20's. McGrath used 22mm with lots of fork up in the clamp.

I think that depending upon what you do and the speeds you ride it is a personal perference. I like stability and find NO turning problems with the 22's. My 525 motor is stronger than the TM everywhere. Particularly down low and with my Revloc clutch is the greatest bike I've ever owned.

 

[bte]

I had a 01TM 250E, I how have a GG 200 and have had alot of time on a 00 KTM 300mxc (brother-in-law's).

The TM is a very nice bike and is well thoughtout design. I woud say that the
TM's are more setup for a A-B class rider, it's not a play bike. My bike turned well and felt very neutral. It also did not seem to have alot of bottom-end power, but would rip up-top. I 'm a small guy only about 155 pounds and I could bring up the front-end in any gear at any time.

I have ridden just about all KTM 125-525, 2000-2003. The KTM seems to be a good all-around bike with a good power range from bottom to top. The KTM's are more forgiving of a mistake you might make, were the TM would bite you sometimes. To me the KTM's still don't seem to turn as good as some other bikes out there but, is still a solid bike all-around.

The GG's seem to be the 4-strokes of the 2-stroke world. They are all very smooth with what seems to be very little hit anywhere. The GG feel like most jap. bike out there. They turn very well and the power is so smooth it will fool you. You will think you are not going anywhere but your lap times will get faster.

It just comes down to what you like in a bike . All have good and bad point.
I would try to ride them back to back on the same trail before I decided on one.

brown

 

[MikeS]

Great replies guys.

Junior and myself have ridden a TM125, RM125, KTM300 (99,02), KX125, KTM 400MXC, 520SX and an 03 125SX.

I hate 125's and I am too heavy (230+). I found the TM to handle the best off road.

Junior is 13, 165lbs and an upper B level rider (top5) Harescrambles. He likes the KTM 125SX for power but got headshake and had trouble in tight technical courses as it wants to be slammed in the turns just like any KTM or it does not turn. It doesnot play ride well. His TM is great all around (older model). Turns well, nice low end as it is a E model with flywheel but still out revs most. Super dependable, Parts are cheap IMO compared to an RM or KTM. The RM and KX are good bikes but after one season they need seriuos work...our TM is gone onto season 3 and is sweet. We should have our New TM125E next week so I will have an update.

 

[Michelle]

My husband has a 97 KTM 360SX & 02 TM250. The 360 had sat seized in the garage for just over a year. He got it going this week & after riding it today, came back & said "the TM's not up for sale anytime soon". He loves the TM, but also enjoys GG's (ridden a 400 four stroke & couple of 200 two strokes) and is keen to take a 250 out to see how that fares (he was tossing up between the TM & GG initially).

Failings on the TM: crappy stock seat cover, stock pipe dents easily, kick start was never right to start with & he felt it didn't handle gravel roads well (which is better now with a steering damper attached).

At 5'3", I find the TM too tall but at 5'11" he finds it brilliant for ruts & general size. He now stands more as the seat is hard (but not as bad as late model KTM's). Oh, he rode an 02 250EXC KTM & found it had more bottom end than his TM & handled gravel roads better.
Hope that helps some & if you want more info, I'll get him to post when he's got some time :)
Michelle